New Music City Cares Fund created to help Las Vegas shooting victims

Country musicians took to social media to respond to the shooting in Las Vegas
video by Michael Schwab/Tennessean

Concertgoers embrace as they wait early Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, inside the Sands Corporation plane hangar after a mass shooting in which dozens were killed at the Route 91 Harvest country festival early Sunday.(Photo: Powers Imagery/Invision/AP)

On the heels of a gunman opening fire on Las Vegas concertgoers Sunday night, killing at least 59 and injuring more than 500 people, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has established a fund to help the victims.

According to the foundation, 100 percent of the donations to the new Music City Cares Fund will go to Las Vegas to help with the immediate and long-term needs of victims in the shooting that took place during the Route 91 Harvest Festival.

Country star Jason Aldean was performing onstage as the gunman, perched on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, interrupted the three-day festival with a hail of gunfire from automatic weaponry. Authorities say the gunman later killed himself.

About 22,000 people were at the the concert at the time, police said.

Donations to the Music City Cares Fund are tax-deductible. To donate, visit http://www.cfmt.org.

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Two women embrace outside of a family assistance center Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. The makeshift center was set up to help families and others reconnect after the mass shooting on the Las Vegas Strip.
John Locher, AP

Dozens of New York University (NYU) students attend a vigil for the victims of the mass shooting in Las Vegas on October 2, 2017 in New York City. At least 58 people were killed and 515 injured in what is being called the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.
Spencer Platt, Getty Images

A Park Service employee lowers the U.S. flags on the grounds of the Washington Monument to half-staff, on October 2, 2017 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump ordered the flags on all federal buildings to fly at half-staff following the mass shooting that left more than 50 dead in Las Vegas. The gunman, identified as Stephen Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nevada, allegedly opened fire from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on an outdoor music festival. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot. The investigation is ongoing.
Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Oct 2, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nevada Highway Patrol trooper Jones (no first name given) stands at a roadblock on Las Vegas Blvd. and Sunset Road with Mandalay Bay in the background Monday morning. At least 58 people were shot to death at a country music concert near Mandalay Bay, Sunday evening. Mandatory Credit:
Tom Tingle-USA TODAY Sports

US President Donald Trump First Lady Melania Trump, US Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, participate in a moment of silence on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, October 2, 2017, for the victims of the shooting yesterday in Las Vegas, Nevada.
SAUL LOEB, AFP/Getty Images

People hold hands in prayer while hiding inside the Sands Corporation plane hangar after a mass shooting in which dozens were killed at the Route 91 Harvest Festival on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Las Vegas.
Powers Imagery/Invision/AP

A woman cries while hiding inside the Sands Corporation plane hangar after a mass shooting in which dozens were killed at the Route 91 Harvest Festival on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Las Vegas.
Powers Imagery/Invision/AP

A woman hides inside the Sands Corporation plane hangar after a mass shooting in which dozens were killed at the Route 91 Harvest Festival on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Las Vegas.
Powers Imagery/Invision/AP

A concertgoer makes a phone call early Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, while hiding inside the Sands Corporation plane hangar after a gunman opened fire at the Route 91 Harvest country festival in Las Vegas.
Powers Imagery/Invision/AP

Concertgoers embrace as they wait early Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, inside the Sands Corporation plane hangar after a mass shooting in which dozens were killed at the Route 91 Harvest country festival early Sunday.
Powers Imagery/Invision/AP

LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 02: People line up to donate blood at a special United Blood Services drive at a University Medical Center facility to help victims of a mass shooting on October 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. A lone gunman opened fired on the Route 91 Harvest country music festival on October 1 leaving more than 50 dead and hundreds wounded. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Three festivalgoers ask for directions as they leave the area around the Mandalay Hotel after a gunman killed more than 50 people and wounded more than 500 others when he opened fire on a country music concert in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 2, 2017.
MARK RALSTON, AFP/Getty Images

Two festivalgoers leave the area around the Mandalay Hotel after a gunman killed more than 50 people and wounded more than 500 others when he opened fire on a country music concert in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 2, 2017.
MARK RALSTON, AFP/Getty Images

Police return to their vehicles after patrolling around the Mandalay Hotel where a gunman killed at least 50 people and wounded more than 200 others when he opened fire on a country music concert in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 2, 2017.
MARK RALSTON, AFP/Getty Images

People hug and cry outside the Thomas & Mack Center after a mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival on October 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. A gunman, identified as Stephen Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nevada, opened fire from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the music festival, leaving at least 50 people dead and hundreds injured. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot. The investigation is ongoing.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images

People take cover at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
David Becker, Getty Images

People head to buses as they leave the Thomas & Mack Center after a mass shooting at a country music festival on October 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. People who could not go to hotel-casinos that were closed after the shooting temporarily stayed at the center. The gunman, identified as Stephen Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nevada, opened fire from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the music festival, leaving at least 50 people dead and hundreds injured. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot. The investigation is ongoing.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Concert-goers wait for a ride outside the Thomas & Mack Center after a mass shooting at a country music festival on October 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. People who could not go to hotel-casinos that were closed after the shooting temporarily stayed at the center. The gunman, identified as Stephen Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nevada, opened fire from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the music festival, leaving at least 50 people dead and hundreds injured. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot. The investigation is ongoing.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Police form a perimeter around the road leading to the Mandalay Hotel (background) after a gunman killed at least 50 people and wounded more than 400 others when he opened fire on a country music concert in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 2, 2017.
The gunman who opened fire on concertgoers from 32nd floor of a Las Vegas hotel was found dead, apparently of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, when a police SWAT team burst in, authorities said Monday.They said at least eight weapons, including a number of long rifles, were found in the room from where 64-year-old Stephen Paddock rained automatic fire into thousands of terrified people attending a country music concert across the street."We believe the individual killed himself prior to our entry," Las Vegas Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said
MARK RALSTON, AFP/Getty Images

People evacuate after the shooting in Las Vegas. At least 50 people were killed and over 200 others wounded in a mass shooting at a concert Sunday night outside of the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas in the U.S. state of Nevada.
Sipa USA, Xinhua/Sipa USA

A woman sits on a curb at the scene of a shooting outside of a music festival along the Las Vegas Strip, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. Multiple victims were being transported to hospitals after a shooting late Sunday at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip.
John Locher, AP

A man lays on top of a woman as others flee the Route 91 Harvest country music festival grounds after a active shooter was reported on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. A gunman has opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas, leaving at least 2 people dead. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot. The investigation is ongoing.
David Becker, Getty Images

People scramble for shelter at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. A gunman has opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas, leaving at least 20 people dead and more than 100 injured. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot. The investigation is ongoing.
David Becker, Getty Images

People are directed to rides outside the Thomas & Mack Center after a mass shooting at a country music festival on October 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. People who could not go to hotel-casinos that were closed after the shooting are temporarily staying at the center. The gunman, identified as Stephen Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nevada, opened fire from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the music festival, leaving at least 50 people dead and hundreds injured. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot. The investigation is ongoing.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images

A Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officer stands in the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Ave. after a mass shooting at a country music festival nearby on October 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. A gunman has opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas, killing over 20 people. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot dead. The investigation is ongoing.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images

A Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer helps deliver blankets and food to people at the Thomas & Mack Center after a mass shooting at a country music festival on October 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. People who could not go to hotel-casinos that were closed after the shooting are temporarily staying at the center. A gunman, identified as Stephen Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nevada, opened fire from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the music festival, leaving at least 50 people dead and hundreds injured. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot. The investigation is ongoing.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images

UNLV student Ajay Narang (L) and a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer use Narang's skateboard to help deliver bottled water to people at the Thomas & Mack Center after a mass shooting at a country music festival on October 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. People who could not go to hotel-casinos that were closed after the shooting are temporarily staying at the center. A gunman, identified as Stephen Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nevada, opened fire from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the music festival, leaving at least 50 people dead and hundreds injured. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot. The investigation is ongoing.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images

People tend to the wounded outside the Route 91 Harvest Country music festival grounds after an apparent shooting on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
David Becker, Getty Images

A cowboy hat lays in the street after shots were fired near a country music festival on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. A gunman has opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas, leaving at least 20 people dead and more than 100 injured. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot. The investigation is ongoing.
David Becker, Getty Images

An injured person is tended to in the intersection of Tropicana Ave. and Las Vegas Boulevard after a mass shooting at a country music festival nearby on October 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. A gunman has opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas, killing over 20 people. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot dead. The investigation is ongoing.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Las Vegas police patrol along the streets outside the the Route 91 Harvest country music festival grounds after a active shooter was reported on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. A gunman has opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas, leaving at least 2 people dead. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot. The investigation is ongoing.
David Becker, Getty Images

A police officer takes cover behind a truck at the scene of a shooting near the Mandalay Bay resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Las Vegas. Multiple victims were being transported to hospitals after a shooting late Sunday at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip.
John Locher / AP

Police officers and medical personnel stand at the scene of a shooting near the Mandalay Bay resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. Multiple victims were being transported to hospitals after a shooting late Sunday at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip.
John Locher / AP

Las Vegas Police stand at the scene of a shooting along the Las Vegas Strip, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. Multiple victims were being transported to hospitals after a shooting late Sunday at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip.
John Locher / AP

A man waits during lockdown at the Tropicana Las Vegas during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Multiple victims were being transported to hospitals after a shooting late Sunday at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip.
Chase Stevens /AP

Police run to cover at the scene of a shooting near the Mandalay Bay resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Las Vegas. Multiple victims were being transported to hospitals after a shooting late Sunday at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip.
John Locher / AP

Police officers and medical personnel stand at the scene of a shooting near the Mandalay Bay resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. Multiple victims were being transported to hospitals after a shooting late Sunday at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip.
John Locher / AP

People run from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
David Becker, Getty Images

Las Vegas police stand guard along the streets outside the Route 91 Harvest Country music festival groundss of the Route 91 Harvest on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
David Becker, Getty Images

Police and rescue personnel gather at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Ave. after a mass shooting at a country music festival nearby on October 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. A gunman has opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas, leaving at least 50 people dead and more than 200 injured. Police have confirmed that one suspect, Stephen Paddock, has been shot and killed. The investigation is ongoing.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Police officers point their weapons at a car driving down closed Tropicana Ave. near Las Vegas Boulevard after a reported mass shooting at a country music festival nearby on October 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. A gunman has opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas, leaving at least 2 people dead. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot. The investigation is ongoing.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers point their weapons at a car driving down closed Tropicana Ave. near Las Vegas Boulevard after a mass shooting at a country music festival nearby on October 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. A gunman has opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas, leaving at least 20 people dead and more than 100 injured. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot. The investigation is ongoing.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images

An ambulance leaves the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Ave. after a mass shooting at a country music festival nearby on October 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. A gunman has opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas, leaving at least 20 people dead and more than 100 injured. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot. The investigation is ongoing.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images

“Country music is the heart of Music City,” said Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “We are reaching out to country music fans who fell victim to this evil. They must know we care and care deeply. Our prayers are with them.”

Other places to give include the National Compassion Fund Las Vegas, with 100% of funds to be distributed directly to victims of the shooting. Donations to the fund are held separately from general donations to the National Center for Victims of Crime.

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has worked with a number of entertainers through the years, in the country music community and in other musical genres, both through benefit relief efforts and through funds established and administered by The Community Foundation.

Tennessean reporters Dave Paulson and Nate Rau discuss the possible outcomes for events, and the music indstury in Nashville following the mass shooting on the Las Vegas strip that took place Sunday.
Autumn Allison/USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee

Social media users have posted video of the dramatic events in Las Vegas on Sunday, where a gunman opened fire on an outdoor music festival, killing at least 50 people - including two off-duty police officers - and wounding more than 100. (Oct. 2)
AP

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to the nation Monday morning about the mass shooting in Las Vegas, which left at least 50 people dead and more than 400 injured. The president said, "it was an act of pure evil." (Oct. 2)
AP

Country music star Jason Aldean was on stage when a gunman attacked the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada late Sunday night. At least 20 concertgoers were killed and at least 100 others were injured, according to local authorities, who said Monday that the casualties are still being counted. Aldean, who was the headliner on the final night of the festival, was able to take shelter. A representative for Aldean confirmed that "he, his band and crew are all unharmed." The country music community expressed shock and disbelief at the shooting.
Wochit

A concertgoer captured the moment a gunman opened fire on an outdoor music festival on the Las Vegas Strip, killing scores of people and wounding hundreds of others. Country music star Jason Aldean was performing when the gunfire began.
AP